Short Summary

Four African Heads of State on a peace mission to the Middle East arrived in Cairo on Friday (5 November) by air from Israel.

Description

Four African Heads of State on a peace mission to the Middle East arrived in Cairo on Friday (5 November) by air from Israel. The mission, organised by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), is led by President Leopold Senghor of Senegal. The other Heads of State in the mission are President Joseph Mobutu of the Zaire Republic (formerly the Congo Democratic Republic), President Ahmadou Ahidjo of Cameroun and General Yakubu Gowon of Nigeria.

The mission arrived shortly after President Anwar Sadat of Egypt announced his decision to run state affairs from Army headquarters. The move followed repeated warnings that another war with Israel might be near.

SYNOPSIS: President Leopold Senghor of Senegal, lead of an African peace mission to the Middle East, arrived on Friday in Cairo accompanied by President Joseph Mobutu of the Zaire Republic -- formerly the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Presidents had flown by air direct from Israel where they held talks with Israeli leaders. They were met at Cairo airport by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. The arrival was only hours after it was announced that President Sadat had decided to run state affairs at Army headquarters. The move followed repeated warnings that another war with Israel might be near.

President Ahmadou Ahidjo of Cameroun and General Yakubu Gowon of Nigeria landed at Cairo shortly afterwards. They are the other two Heads of State in the Peace mission, organised by the Organisation of African Unity. During their visit to Israel, the four leaders spoke with Prime Minister Golda Meir, Foreign Minister Abba Eban and the Defence Minister, Moshe Dayan.

In Israel, the mission worked on the belief that negotiations between the Egyptians and the Israelis was a key to de-fusing the Middle East situation. But it's reported that Cairo wants Israel to withdraw from occupied areas before progress can be made.

Talks between President Sadat and the African leaders were held at Abdin Palace.

President Sadat later asked the African leaders in a speech to help end the Israel occupation of Arab territories which he described as part of an "imperialist assault on Africa." President Senghor appealed for peace and said what was need was a compromise which would preserve the integrity and the dignity of all concerned.